What Was That Like?: Conversations with Sarah Lawrence Students and Alumni About Life After College

Inspired by the style of Story Corps, the What Was That Like? podcast series features recorded conversations between Sarah Lawrence students and alumni about life after college. Working in small groups of shared interests, students completing internships (or other work experiences) speak with an alum about their experience after graduation. Each episode is centered on students’ questions and features a particular career community or pre-professional area. Topics include alumni’s paths after graduation, transformative experiences, work-life balance, networking, belonging, advice for students, and more. What Was That Like? is offered in collaboration with Alumni Relations, and features a growing number of alumni from an inclusive range of experiences.

Season Three

The Business of Storytelling with Max Mallory '11

Max Mallory ‘11, joined in conversation by Syd Walter ‘26, Rebecca Wilson ‘24, and Georgianna Besse ‘26, began by highlighting the importance of SLC’s conferences andseminars in finding our personal interests, and making those a part of our academic and professional stories. He then explained how impactful stories are created in the context of their audience by appealing to the humanness in each of us. Max also reflected on his values in his own work and putting his team first before the end product.

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Writing the Future with Sean Campbell '11

Sean Campbell ‘11 (MFA in Writing), an award-winning freelance journalist, adjunct assistant professor at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, and fiction writer, speaks with Kerry Cooper ‘25, Stella Maiden ‘24, and Henrik Nielsen ‘24. Sean discusses his varied college experience and how he discovered his passion for writing. He breaks down his journalistic and fiction writing process; the importance of empathy and setting boundaries as a journalist; and his unconventional approach to networking, allowing his work to speak for itself.

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Pursuing Careers in Arts and Media with Alexis Mendez '18

Sophie Hammond ‘24, Ariana Dan ‘24, Eliot Hard ‘26, Aurora Sharp ’26, Zixuan Yang‘24, Julius Persaud ’24, Kat Lynch ‘24, and Jason Colella ‘24 spoke with Alexis Mendez‘18 who currently works as an Associate Producer at Sharp Entertainment (think Reality TV shows like 90 Day Fiance and more). The main topics of the conversation are Alexis speaking about her journey (SLC impact, current position compared to others, the importance of networking, etc.), experience with creativity and burnout, and some of her career challenges.

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Pursuing a Career in the Film Industry with Jo Steinhart '17

In this episode Madeline Vickers (‘26), Josefine Filipowski (‘26), Sarah (Soah) Blake (‘26), Kaia Goudreau (‘24), and Maeve Montante (‘24) speak with Jo Steinhart as she shares insights on pursuing narrative filmmaking an approaching grad school, emphasizing the fluidity of career paths. She recounts her journey of adapting a novel into a script, highlighting the uncertainties of optioning intellectual property. Balancing freelancing with industry experience, she stresses she significance of networking and practical learning, advocating for a clear artistic voice.

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Social Time with a Social Worker/Psychotherapist with Slade Roff '12

Emma Jayne Smith ('26), Kailee Call ('24), Hayley Hartfelder ('25), Warren Kennedy-Nolle ('25), Paulina Thompson ('25) speak with Slade Roff ('12), a clinical social worker and psychotherapist who specializes in working with the emerging adult population. Slade discusses failure and postgraduate confusion with heartfelt candidness, as well as reflecting on the unique privileges her Sarah Lawrence education afforded her.

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Curating and Establishing a Professional Identity in the Art World with Rachel Keller '13

Rachel Keller ('13), Senior Curator at Creative Art Partners, talks with Schuyler Cozzens ('24) and Ysabella Punzalan ('24) about the responsibilities and networking expertise that go into effectively translating the art of artists, young and old, into exhibits worthy of their respective works. Rachael describes her role in Nicodim and Creative Art Partners Los Angeles as an on-the-ground curator who facilitates work with artists.

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Season Two

Sustaining a Creative Career with Adrienne Dawes '04

Award-winning playwright, producer, and teaching artist Adrienne Dawes ’04 joins Rebecca Wilson ’24, Zoe Fonck ’23, and Kat Lynch ’24 to discuss sustaining a creative career. She explains the importance of staying “nimble” in a portfolio career, the applicable skills that come from a Sarah Lawrence education, and the importance of staying genuine when building and maintaining a professional and social network. She speaks candidly about viewing "survival jobs" as a source of inspiration, and remembering that “writing isn’t always at the desk.”

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Careers in Education and Social Services with Chris Girgenti '10

In our episode, Careers in Education and Social Services , we asked Chris if he had any experience with negotiating a salary or just any general thoughts on how to approach obtaining a salary that best fits our experience. Chris informed us that salary transparency is increasing, it's good to look for places that are transparent about their salary ranges. Chris left us with a great metaphor, "Manage your energy not your time." When you are most energized, schedule to get the hard stuff done first, save the quick easy stuff for when you have less energy in your day.

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Pursuing a Career in Film and Entertainment with Ivy Meeropol '90

In Being a Gryphon in Filmmaking , accomplished and prolific documentary filmmaker and producer spoke with Ivy Meeropol (Sarah Lawrence College class of 1990) joins Josefine Filipowski ('26), Molly Healey ('25), Manuela Pancheo ('24), Ava Vinton ('24), Roni Endres ('25), Samu Gabor ('24), Eryn Diehl ('25), and Joyce Kirk ('26). We discussed topics such as early career development, her creative process, artistic burnout, and how to best utilize a Sarah Lawrence education in order to be successful in an artistic field, the importance of having an open mind and willingness, exploring different subjects as an artist, as ultimately a well-rounded education will allow for more holistic perspectives in art and society.

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Navigating Career Paths and Maintaining Balance with Kaitlin Kindman '07

In our episode, Navigating Career Paths and Maintaining Balance , Jason Ciron ('24), Enger Polanco ('25), Allie Zapson ('25) spoke with Kaitlin Kindman and learned about her career journey, from her undergraduate education at Sarah Lawrence College—which she described as impactful and engaging—to her graduate education at New York University, where she received her Master of Social Work. Talking about the role Sarah Lawrence has in her career now, Kaitlin emphasizes the power of community and credits the skill of staying curious.

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The Business of Being Creative with Jeff McDaniel '90

In this episode of What Was That Like? titled The Business of Being Creative , Lindsey Madden '24 and Henrik Nielsen '24 speak with SLC alumnus and current faculty member Jeff McDaniel '90. In this episode, McDaniel reflects on his experience as both a poet and a professor, and gives advice to soon-to-be graduates on how to carve out space for creativity and maintain a writing practice. The students and McDaniel spoke about the impact of an SLC education after graduation and how to make the most out of your time at SLC.

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Social justice beyond Sarah Lawrence with Jesse Bernstein '04

Jesse Bernstein (‘04), a senior advisor at the Department of Justice and Sarah Lawrence alum joined Riley Arnold ('25), Fiona Dubay ('24), and Madeleine Eggen ('25) for a conversation on working in social justice, and how he found roots in this passion during his time at the College. Jesse covered a wide range of topics. He first spoke about his familial connection to social work, and how watching his parents, who are Jewish social workers, do outreach and support work for their Jewish community inspired him to also pursue social work.

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Season One

Path to Public Policy with Sabrina Shulman '02

Sabrina Shulman '02, Chief Political Officer at Vote Run Lead, chats with students Lily Sloman '25, Nandini Sinha '23, and Rain Cedeno-Garcia '23. Sabrina describes the early experiences and relationship-building that helped shape her path, an evolving approach to work-life balance, and rewarding experiences in non-profit and private sector work. Sabrina speaks to students’ questions about negotiating salaries and supporting mental health in the workplace.

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Perspectives in Publishing with Josh Gannon '04

Josh Gannon '04 talks with Isabella Dighton '23, Cath Cai MFA '24, Kelsey Harrison '23 about the distinctions between writing and publishing; breaking into the field of academic and educational publishing; his evolving approach to networking; reading for pleasure while working in academic publishing (spoiler alert: it’s SciFi!), and future goals. Josh discusses navigating uncertainty, set-backs, and approaching rejection as an opportunity to assess trade-offs and problem-solve. Episode bonus: special appearances by Josh's cat!

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Visual Arts in the Real World with Kate Pincus-Whitney '16

Artist Kate Pincus-Whitney '16, named to Forbes' "30 Under 30" list in 2022, joins us from her vibrant Los Angeles studio to talk with visual arts students Rio Caster '25, Natalia Chow '23, Sam Wendel '24. Their conversation covers Kate's pursuit of a holistic undergraduate education; how life events and a fellowship experience shaped her path as an artist; taking time off before grad school; painting as a way to synthesize her experience as a storyteller; connecting into universal themes and "golden threads"; diving into the depths of making meaning; the "weirdo magical stuff" that can emerge through a rigorous daily practice; and networking by being an active community member. Kate speaks to questions about back-up plans, challenges transitioning from making art in an academic setting to the professional world, keeping up a daily art practice when traveling, and building community.

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Women in Film with Lois Stark '65

Emmy Award-winning producer, documentary filmmaker, and author Lois Stark '65 talks with Christine Dufur '23, Kelsey Harrison '23, Rachel Saruski '23 about considering the arc of an entire life beyond starting out; how "your sense of what is opportunity will change over time"; and the value of considering this arc in at least three ways: the Road Story (the linear narrative), the Ricochet (all those accidents that happen along the way), and the Evergreen (ideas, tendencies, and talents that stay true through life). Lois shares her experience through these three lenses and offers students wise perspectives to consider over a lifetime, including the strength in people who know you, that every good idea you have may seem like a bad idea at some point, and the ways in which a Sarah Lawrence education can help you create opportunities and adapt to the "ricochets."

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Advancing Advocacy with Ava Mateo '20

Ava Mateo '20, Executive Director of 18by Vote, talks with Ashley Spector-Townsend '25, Gabriella Nanna '23, Paige Nelson '25, Lara O’Brien '25, Kristoph Sayavedra '23, Sahiba Singh '23, Soph Moazed '23, and Tamao Chika '23 about getting started during the pandemic; non-partisan civic engagement; centering young voices in advocacy; changes in youth voting and civic engagement; navigating work-life balance; initiating a Youth Mental Health Pledge for workplaces; how internships and being an RA helped prepare her for her current role; and the value of relationship building.

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Then and Now: Healthcare Paths with Marilyn Russo '75

Licensed physical therapist Marilyn Russo '75 talks with students Hunter Erikkson '22, Yusef Mafton '24, and Kaiyue Sun '23. Marilyn describes her path from dance to physical therapy and how far Sarah Lawrence College has come in preparing students on pre-health tracks. Marilyn answers students' questions about getting started in her field, having second thoughts, and embracing moments of uncertainty. Marilyn speaks to the value of knowing one's strengths, asking for help when you need it, and enjoying life.